Princess Charlene of Monaco sparked fears from fans by sharing a ‘distressing’ piece of art depicting her ‘behind bars’.
The Monaco royal, 44, who shares seven-year-old twins Gabriella and Jacques with husband Prince Albert, 64, shared the digital creation on her Instagram yesterday.
The NFT was created by artist Junaid Sénéchal-Senekal in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s #feed2gether initiative, which aims to provide food to struggling children in South Africa.
The artwork features a sepia-toned portrait of Princess Charlene broken up into squares. However some supporters claim the image makes it look as though the royal is in jail.
Princess Charlene of Monaco sparked fears from fans by sharing a piece of art depicting her ‘behind bars’, pictured. The NFT was created by artist Junaid Sénéchal-Senekal in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s #feed2gether initiative, which aims to provide food to struggling children in South Africa
Getting back into the swing of things: Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival with her husband Prince Albert (pictured) on June 17. Supporters continue to express concerns about Charlene’s mental health following her return to Monaco
The artwork features a sepia-toned portrait of Princess Charlene broken up into squares. However some supporters claim the image makes it look as though the royal is ‘distressed’ and ‘behind bars’
One fan wrote: ‘I don’t like to see you like that, behind bars.’
Another posted: ‘It’s very well done, and very telling too. We see there all the distress of the soul. I hope you find inner peace.’
Charlene is slowly readjusting to royal duties after remaining largely out of the public eye over the last 18 months. She spent 10 months in her native South Africa last year after contracting a sinus infection that later required surgery.
She returned to Monaco in November but was there for a matter of days before leaving for a Swiss treatment facility. The exact nature of her condition was not made public but Albert said she was ‘exhausted’.
The Royal Palace announced in March that Charlene had returned and would make a gradual reintroduction to public life.
Back in business: Princess Charlene stepped out for her first solo engagement since returning to Monaco after a stint in a treatment centre for ‘exhaustion’
In recent weeks she has made a handful of public appearances with her husband and children, including a visit to Norway and an outing to the F1.
On Sunday she made her first royal engagement to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre where she met patients and families on the maternity ward.
Supporters continue to express concerns about Charlene’s mental health following her return to Monaco.
Prince Albert said he was ‘hurt by the vicious rumours’ peddled about his marriage following his wife’s absence and said that it’s the ‘most beautiful thing’ to have her back with him.
French media has claimed she is receiving £10million a year to appear by her husband’s side at public outings.
Leading French media reported the ruler of the tax haven Mediterranean principality was doing everything possible to keep Charlene ‘at his side at public events’.
Major French outlets that specialise in celebrity news said Charlene’s sudden reappearance was welcomed by all Royal watchers.
‘But the Princess did not return at any price,’ magazine Voici reported. ‘She would have had her husband sign an ultra-confidential contract.’
The revelations were followed up by rival publication Paris Match Belgium, which writes: ‘Prince Albert would himself pay a tidy sum to the princess so that she appears at his side at public events.’
The Royal Palace in Monte Carlo refuses to discuss specific financial arrangements, but the principality pays out some £40m a year to cover the institution’s running costs.
First appearance since her return: Princess Charlene joined Prince Albert and their children at the Monaco Formula E World Championships on April 30
Family outing: Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and their children at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament on May 7
Mummy-daughter date: Charlene took her daughter Gabriella, seven, to Monte Carlo Fasion Week on May 24
In the public eye: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the Monaco F1 on May 29
Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Albert II, Princess Charlene, Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella, Opening of the ‘Sailing the Sea of Science’ exhibition at the Frammuseum in Oslo on June 22
Royals are not salaried officials, however, meaning that Charlene would be reliant on Albert – a billionaire in his own right – for her own spending money.
A Royal insider based in Monte Carlo told Mail Online: ‘Of course the Princess enjoys huge perks, but ready cash is not guaranteed.
‘She’s been through a very difficult time, so it would make sense for Charlene to try and secure her own guaranteed income.’
Prince Albert, 62, said the time apart was ‘a test for his wife’ but they ‘spoke often, despite the distance.
Charlene first had a 10-month absence in her native South Africa, where she contracted and was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco shared a new portrait over the weekend to mark their 11th wedding anniversary. Pictured, Charlene’s Instagram post
After her return to the principality in November, Charlene left almost immediately to receive treatment for ‘exhaustion’ at a Swiss clinic.
The Monaco palace has consistently denied media reports of a rift between Charlene and the principality’s ruler Prince Albert, who were wed in 2011, following the princess’ long absence.
Speaking to French Sunday paper Journal de Dimanche last month, Albert said the last year was ‘a test for my wife especially, who suffered greatly and lived through difficult times, far from her family. A test also for our children and for myself.
‘We missed the princess a lot. And we were obviously hurt by the malicious rumours that were peddled. But we were able to stay united despite the distance, we spoke to each other often.’
He added: ‘Today, Charlene is back with us and this is the most beautiful thing which could have happened. She’s better, we can finally spend time together. It is a relief and a joy for all of us.’